Pharmacy Technology

SALT LAKE CITY Honey Naturals is looking to expand the distribution of its ZarBee's all-natural children's cough syrup.

CINCINNATI Kroger views its in-store health clinic business, The Little Clinic, as an important part of its commitment to health and wellness, and is in the midst of developing an expansion plan, according to a local report.

"It is part of our long-term plan," Kroger spokeswoman Meghan Glynn was quoted as saying in a Cincinnati Enquirer article. "Customers more and more are focused on health, fitness and wellness, especially with rising healthcare costs."

AVENEL, N.J. —Drug store retailers can make the most of impulse purchases in the cell phone accessory category with a new line of cell phone carrier pack chargers from Mizco International.

Mizco’s Cellular Innovations Carrier Series covers every make and model of cell phone with just four products. The line includes a charger for every cell phone brand—AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint-Nextel. Each Carrier Pack model includes interchangeable connectors for all cell phones supported by each carrier. Each model in the series retails for $14.99.

LOS ANGELES —Following years of research and 10 new technology patents, skin care brand Neutrogena has introduced its new Neutrogena Clinical.

CINCINNATI Kroger has appointed Kroger executive Michael Stoll to serve as CEO of The Little Clinic business.

Stoll brings 34 years of experience with Kroger in corporate benefits, human resources management and store operations to his new role. In his most recent position as VP corporate benefits, Stoll played a key role in developing the healthcare strategy and pension plans for Kroger’s 334,000 full- and part-time associates.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT To borrow from the great Mark Twain, it would appear that the reports of the demise of retail clinic growth have been greatly exaggerated. Drug Store News has a two-word answer for why retail clinics will continue to grow for a very long time: health reform. And there are 32 million reasons why that growth will be quite dramatic.

ST. LOUIS Vaccines likely would work better in protecting children from flu if they included both strains of influenza B instead of just one, a St. Louis University press report stated last week, citing research conducted through its Center for Vaccine Development.